Deadline for submissions: Monday 20th November at 10am

 

To mark the launch of Kudos North we want to cement our commitment to the area by investing in two writers based in or who have a robust relationship with the North of England. We are looking for writers with the strongest potential to develop original television content. For this opportunity we are asking writers with at least one produced credit to apply – that could be a theatre play, a radio drama, a commissioned online drama episode, a commissioned film or a credit(s) on a continuing drama. In other words if you are yet to have an original TV Drama produced we want to hear from you.

 

The two successful writers will each be awarded £2000 to develop an idea to be pitched initially to the BBC and potentially other broadcasters.  We will also team them up with top writing mentors from the area including Danny Brocklehurst and Stephen Butchard. Over a six month period the writers will meet with their mentors whilst they develop their original ideas with the Development Producer at Kudos North – Laura Conway.

 

What we are looking for:

Kudos is a High End production company that values distinctive content and we are looking for writers with strong original voices and bold ideas.

Kudos North is specifically looking for dynamic stories and characters that radiate a northern authenticity.

 

We want to see a script that tells us who you are as a writer and which shows a level of professionalism and distinctive voice.
This opportunity is open to writers residing and working in the North of England on a full time basis or those writers who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the culture of the North and be confident that they can deliver authentic dialogue and relevant Northern stories in a fresh and original way.

 

The North of England is defined by the Boundary Commission for England which includes the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber.

 

What to submit:

1)      Entrants must submit an original drama script written for radio, TV, stage, film or online platforms which should be at least 30 pages long.
2)      A brief biography of work to date – highlighting your produced credit(s).

Closing date for entries is 10.00am on Monday 20th November 2017 after which it will not be possible to submit your script.

 

Entries must be submitted via the BBC Writersroom’s E-Submissions System via this link

 

All entrants will be judged on the following criteria:

A)     Originality of the script;
B)     The strength of the story and structure;
C)     The writer’s ability to write believable dialogue;
D)     The writer’s skill in inhabiting the characters and developing convincing relationships between them.

 

Entries will be whittled down to a long-list of up to 20 entrants who will then be asked to submit a one page pitch for an original TV Drama idea.
This idea must reflect life in the North of England and deliver characters and stories, from the North, in a fresh and original way.

 

Kudos North will then read the long-listed scripts and pitches and select up to 6 finalists.

 

These 6 writers will be invited to an interview, with the judging panel, where they will have the opportunity to discuss their writing, their pitch and experience in more detail.

 

The judging criteria at interview will be as follows:

A)     The clarity of the writer’s vision for their Northern based idea;
B)     The ambition and originality of the writer’s script and pitch;
C)     The quality of the writing in the script and pitch;
D)     The passion and commitment of the writer;
E)     Originality of voice and passion to write television drama reflecting life in the North of England.
F)     The writer’s ability to represent the culture of the North of England with authenticity.

 

Entries will be judged through the following process:

 

Stage One

All entries will be reviewed by a team of script-readers, who will assess the scripts against the criteria outlined above and select a long-list of up to 20 entries. Long- list writers will be contacted by Friday 15th December 2017.

 

Stage Two

Long-list writers will then be invited to submit a one page pitch for an original TV Drama. Closing date for pitch submission is 10am on MON 8th JANUARY 2017 after which it will not be possible to submit your pitch.

 

Stage Three

Long-listed scripts and pitches will then be read by a member of the Kudos team and a shortlist of up to 6 writers will be selected.
The short-list writers will be contacted by Monday 15th January 2018.

 

Stage Four

The short-listed writers will then be invited to be interviewed by the panel, at Kudos North. The interview panel will include Laura Conway (Development Producer, Kudos North) Sarah Stack (Head of Development, Kudos) and a senior representative from BBC Drama. Selected writers will need to be able to interview week commencing 22nd January 2018.

 

Following the interviews two writers will be selected to enter a 6 month period of development with Kudos North.
Please read the full Terms and Conditions of entry before submitting your entry.